Richard Pryor Jr. took his first step in what could end up being an all-out legal war over his father’s biopic. Pryor Jr. is alleging that his father’s widow, Jennifer Lee Pryor, tricked his father into signing over the rights to his name. The late comic’s son said his father was on the verge of death and not aware of what he was doing at the time.
According to TMZ, Pryor Jr. sent his stepmother a cease-and-desist letter demanding that the production of the Lee Daniels biopic come to an end. In his letter, Pryor Jr. accuses Jennifer Pryor of using “illegal, fraudulent” activity to get the rights.
Since the announcement of the biopic, Richard Pryor’s children have been in a battle with Jennifer Pryor, not only about who owns the rights but also about who should portray Pryor. Earlier this month, it was rumored that Nick Cannon would take on the coveted role, but the studio stated that casting was not yet finalized.
Yesha Callahan is editor of The Grapevine and a staff writer at The Root. Follow her on Twitter.
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